KOTA TINGGI: A man and a woman have been found by the authorities after losing their way while trekking in Gunung Panti here.

Johor Forestry Department director Datuk Salim Aman said the duo, both in their 20s, did not possess a permit to enter the forest reserve without a ranger or a mountain guide.

“They got lost on their way down the hill and called the Batu Ampat police station at around 6.50pm on Saturday (Dec 16).

“We were notified about the incident as well, and a search and rescue operation started at 7.40pm involving a team of 25 personnnel from various departments.

“The team managed to find the two victims at the Panti forest reserve at around 10.20pm,” he said in a statement Sunday (Dec 17).

He added that the hikers were found safe and unhurt.

The man and woman were brought out of the forest to the police station where their statements were recorded, Salim said, adding that they were then released on police bail.

“They did not have a permit to enter the forest reserve without a ranger or mountain guide, which is an offence and action will be taken against them under Section 47 of the Johor National Forestry Enactment (Adoption) 1995.

“Furthermore, on Nov 28, the Johor Forestry Department had announced the closure of the Gunung Panti trek starting Dec 1,” said Salim.

He urged trekking enthusiasts to follow the rules and heed the closure notices especially during the monsoon season for their own safety.